Species/Feeder Recommendations

[Stemmy101]

Hello everyone. I am very new to the hobby, and have always been fascinated with inverts, reptiles, and creepy crawlies alike. My parents have finally agreed to let me get a tarantula, after many years of begging. However, they made it VERY clear that I'm only allowed to get one, until I graduate and get my own place. But there are so many beautiful species out there it's been really difficult for me to decide which one I would like to get as my first T. I have been seriously considering the Acanthoscurria geniculata, the Lasiodora parahybana, or some smaller species like the Davus pentaloris, or the Hapalopus sp. Colombia. However, their speed and heavy webbing is a little bit of a turn off. I also took into consideration the GBB, however I'm not quite so sure about this one, mostly because I've heard that they are also heavy webbers. I did consider the Grammostola pulchra, but their painfully slow growth rate kind of threw me off. If any keepers could make any recommendations for my first T, it would be very much appreciated. I don't plan to handle, so temperament isn't a huge concern, as long as they aren't extremely defensive and prone to biting. I am looking for a tarantula that won't hide away most of the time, and is somewhat slow-moving, although this isn't a huge concern either.
I also was wondering if I should purchase my T as a sling, a juvenile, or a sub-adult. Being a first time owner, the idea of keeping a sling is a little intimidating. Any advice?
Ok, so, my last concern is feeders. I definitely want to breed them so I can keep a large colony to avoid having to keep purchasing them. I don't really want to keep crickets, because I've been told that they stink, are loud, and have a higher chance of escaping due to their jumping ability and speed. Dubia roaches sound very appealing to me. However, I did read somewhere that only feeding dubias isn't recommended and should only be supplemented from time to time. So maybe once in a while I'll order some hornworms or something for a treat. I also was thinking that maybe they would be too large for a young T? Can anyone confirm this or offer any feeder recommendations?
Thank you in advance!

 

[mantiscatamp]

I'm not allowed to keep em but I hear dubia roaches are good lmao I keep beetles centipedes and mantises yeet make sure you buy from somewhere safe

 

[Stemmy101]

I'm not allowed to keep em but I hear dubia roaches are good lmao I keep beetles centipedes and mantises yeet make sure you buy from somewhere safe

I've thought about mantises in the past. They're pretty cool! Lol centipedes have always kind of creeped me out, but they're fascinating regardless. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[mantiscatamp]

I've thought about mantises in the past. They're pretty cool! Lol centipedes have always kind of creeped me out, but they're fascinating regardless. Thanks for your feedback!

Aw yeah I have fun with them XDD love my mantises

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I have been seriously considering the Acanthoscurria geniculata, the Lasiodora parahybana, or some smaller species like the Davus pentaloris, or the Hapalopus sp. Colombia. However, their speed and heavy webbing is a little bit of a turn off. I also took into consideration the GBB, however I'm not quite so sure about this one, mostly because I've heard that they are also heavy webbers.

Out of those I'd recommend the A. geniculata, they make a better 2nd or 3rd tarantula tbh but they're easily do-able as a 1st. Lasiodora spp. have some of the worst hairs in the hobby and their temperaments are all over the place, their size is vastly exaggerated as well (they max out at 7-8 inches, not the often claimed 10"), I'd avoid dwarf species as they're very fast and skittish.

If any keepers could make any recommendations for my first T, it would be very much appreciated. I don't plan to handle, so temperament isn't a huge concern, as long as they aren't extremely defensive and prone to biting. I am looking for a tarantula that won't hide away most of the time, and is somewhat slow-moving, although this isn't a huge concern either.

Tliltocatl albopilosus and Grammostola pulchripes are the two best readily available beginner species you can get, both have fairly decent appetites and growth rates (the albo grows quicker but the pulchripes gets larger), both have pretty stable temperaments (there are always exceptions though), and both tend to stay out more as they get larger.

Generally speaking though, anything from Aphonopelma, Brachypelma, Grammostola, or Tliltocatl is a good starting point.

I also was wondering if I should purchase my T as a sling, a juvenile, or a sub-adult. Being a first time owner, the idea of keeping a sling is a little intimidating. Any advice?

I'd recommend a juvenile, you still get to watch it grow but you don't have to deal with a tiny sling (not that slings are difficult, they can just worry new keepers).

Ok, so, my last concern is feeders. I definitely want to breed them so I can keep a large colony to avoid having to keep purchasing them. I don't really want to keep crickets, because I've been told that they stink, are loud, and have a higher chance of escaping due to their jumping ability and speed. Dubia roaches sound very appealing to me. However, I did read somewhere that only feeding dubias isn't recommended and should only be supplemented from time to time.

There's not really any point in starting a colony unless you have dozens of tarantulas, I breed red runners and those things reproduce much faster than 70+ tarantulas and a leopard gecko can nom them, I have to periodically sell a few hundred at a time just to keep their numbers in check.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with raising tarantulas on only one type of feeder, I have tarantulas that have eaten nothing but mealworms for their entire lives to date and they're no less healthy than those that have been fed a variety of feeders.

If you get a juvenile then I'd recommend mealworms, they can be kept in the fridge to slow their grow rates/stop them from pupating and they'll last for several months.

 

[Stemmy101]

@The Grym Reaper Thank you for your feedback! I have heard that the A. Geniculata doesn't always make a great first T because of their somewhat nervous temperaments. That doesn't bother me much. But, with your recommendations in mind, would you say the Brachypelma emilia makes a good first T? From what I understand they aren't as readily available and maybe a little more pricey? But I was more curious about their temperaments and care requirements. Also, do you have any feedback for the T. vagans? They also caught my eye. EDIT: I also really love the coloring of the Brachypelma auratum. Can you offer any feedback on this species as well?

 

[ColeopteraC]

Roaches are the best feeders, if you happen to have a large collection... If not then you wind up with hundreds of surplus roaches which few people will want.

The best ‘long-life’ beginner feeders have to be mealworms. They can be kept in the fridge and last for months. Just crush their heads so they don’t burrow. They aren’t that active however and T’s can be reluctant to feed on them unless you hold them in front of them with tongs.

Crickets are more active and trigger the feeding instinct of the tarantula yet don’t last for that long and have a irritating tendency of freezing just before the T strikes... There is no ‘perfect feeder’ so it’s a case of picking what suits you best.

My recommended starter T would be G.Pulchripes. They are big, colourful, easy to keep, good eaters and offer the best learning experience in comparison to some of the other beginner species. They can be a fraction more feisty (but still predictable), as long as your not a total arachnophobe it’ll be nothing.

 

[Stemmy101]

Roaches are the best feeders, if you happen to have a large collection... If not then you wind up with hundreds of surplus roaches which few people will want.

The best ‘long-life’ beginner feeders have to be mealworms. They can be kept in the fridge and last for months. Just crush their heads so they don’t burrow... Crickets are more active but don’t last for that long and have a irritating tendency of freezing just before the T strikes...

My recommended starter T would be G.Pulchripes. They are big, colourful, easy to keep, good eaters and offer the best learning experience in comparison to some of the other beginner species. They can be a fraction more feisty (but still predictable), as long as your not a total arachnophobe it’ll be nothing.

I have done a little bit of research on the G. pulchripes. They do have a very beautiful coloration. It sounds like mealworms might be a go then! When kept in the fridge, how long do they typically last? Thanks for the info! EDIT: NVM about the mealworms question, I just re-read your reply lol

 

[ColeopteraC]

I have done a little bit of research on the G. pulchripes. They do have a very beautiful coloration. It sounds like mealworms might be a go then! When kept in the fridge, how long do they typically last? Thanks for the info! EDIT: NVM about the mealworms question, I just re-read your reply lol

Overall I’d say a couple of months, Just take them out every 2 weeks. Feed them (veg or fruit) and leave them for 24 hours at room temp before removing food and putting them back in the fridge.

 

[Stemmy101]

Overall I’d say a couple of months, Just take them out every 2 weeks. Feed them (veg or fruit) and leave them for 24 hours at room temp before removing food and putting them back in the fridge.

Thank you, this is very helpful

 

[The Grym Reaper]

@The Grym Reaper Thank you for your feedback! I have heard that the A. Geniculata doesn't always make a great first T because of their somewhat nervous temperaments. That doesn't bother me much. But, with your recommendations in mind, would you say the Brachypelma emilia makes a good first T? From what I understand they aren't as readily available and maybe a little more pricey? But I was more curious about their temperaments and care requirements. Also, do you have any feedback for the T. vagans? They also caught my eye. EDIT: I also really love the coloring of the Brachypelma auratum. Can you offer any feedback on this species as well?

All of those are great beginner species, B. auratum and B. emilia both have the same care (a few inches of dry substrate, a hide, and water dish), auratum is probably the more skittish of the two.

T. vagans prefer a little moisture in the substrate, you can get the odd feisty one but generally they're alright, mine likes to burrow a bit more than the two Brachypelma species.

When kept in the fridge, how long do they typically last?

Several months, I just keep them in a tub of wheat bran, they have very low moisture requirements so they get enough from that.

 

[Stemmy101]

All of those are great beginner species, B. auratum and B. emilia both have the same care (a few inches of dry substrate, a hide, and water dish), auratum is probably the more skittish of the two.

T. vagans prefer a little moisture in the substrate, you can get the odd feisty one but generally they're alright, mine likes to burrow a bit more than the two Brachypelma species.



Several months, I just keep them in a tub of wheat bran, they have very low moisture requirements so they get enough from that.

Thank you so much for your input. I think I will definitely give mealworms a try. And I will look more into the B. emilia